Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
  • H04N5/222—Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment
  • H04N5/262—Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
  • H04N5/2628—Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/14—Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
  • G09G5/00—Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
  • G09G5/18—Timing circuits for raster scan displays
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
  • H04N1/387—Composing, repositioning or otherwise geometrically modifying originals
  • H04N1/393—Enlarging or reducing
  • H04N1/3935—Enlarging or reducing with modification of image resolution, i.e. determining the values of picture elements at new relative positions
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
  • H04N5/14—Picture signal circuitry for video frequency region
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N7/00—Television systems
  • H04N7/01—Conversion of standards, e.g. involving analogue television standards or digital television standards processed at pixel level
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
  • G09G—ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION
  • G09G2340/00—Aspects of display data processing
  • G09G2340/04—Changes in size, position or resolution of an image
  • G09G2340/0407—Resolution change, inclusive of the use of different resolutions for different screen areas
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03L—AUTOMATIC CONTROL, STARTING, SYNCHRONISATION OR STABILISATION OF GENERATORS OF ELECTRONIC OSCILLATIONS OR PULSES
  • H03L7/00—Automatic control of frequency or phase; Synchronisation
  • H03L7/06—Automatic control of frequency or phase; Synchronisation using a reference signal applied to a frequency- or phase-locked loop
  • H03L7/08—Details of the phase-locked loop
  • H03L7/081—Details of the phase-locked loop provided with an additional controlled phase shifter
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03L—AUTOMATIC CONTROL, STARTING, SYNCHRONISATION OR STABILISATION OF GENERATORS OF ELECTRONIC OSCILLATIONS OR PULSES
  • H03L7/00—Automatic control of frequency or phase; Synchronisation
  • H03L7/06—Automatic control of frequency or phase; Synchronisation using a reference signal applied to a frequency- or phase-locked loop
  • H03L7/16—Indirect frequency synthesis, i.e. generating a desired one of a number of predetermined frequencies using a frequency- or phase-locked loop
  • H03L7/18—Indirect frequency synthesis, i.e. generating a desired one of a number of predetermined frequencies using a frequency- or phase-locked loop using a frequency divider or counter in the loop

Definitions

• a method and a device for converting a picture The invention relates to a method for converting a first picture composed of M pixels into a second picture composed of L pixels (M e N, L e N, M ⁇ L) which second picture has a content corresponding with the first picture and which is destined to be displayed with an electronically controlled display unit provided for a pixelwise display, wherein for each j th (0 ⁇ j ⁇ M-l) pixel from the first picture a first pixel value x(j) is supplied by a picture generator and for each i th (0 ⁇ i ⁇ L-l) pixel from the second picture a second pixel value y(i) is determined by a summation of k first pixel values which contributes to that i th second pixel value, and wherein the surface of the first respectively second image is divided into M respectively L picture segments wherein a k th respectively i th pixel segment represents the surface of a k th first respectively i th second pixel and
• the picture is built up from pixels which are preferably linewise aligned.
• the first picture is generated by a picture generator which is for example formed by a memory.
• the picture generator supplies a first pixel value x(j) .
• That pixel value is for example formed by a digital r-bits word (r e N) representing the content of the j th pixel.
• weight factors h(k, i) are each time determined.
• the weight factors are determined by means of surface projection enabling to assign a dimension to the pixel.
• the weight factor thus gives an accurate image of the degree according to which the projected second pixel overlaps one or more first pixels.
• the weight factor will comprise that change.
• a drawback of the known method is that the conversion does not sufficiently take into account non- linearities in the picture signal and the display unit.
• a transfer function is added to the picture signal in order to convert a video input voltage into luminance. That transfer function is non-linear, whilst in order to maintain the picture energy upon conversion, a linear behaviour is required.
• the conversion is realized on the pixels with a pixel value x(j) wherein the non-linear transfer function is involved. This can lead to intensity shifts in the second pixel value which on their turn will lead to a reduced picture quality of the conversed picture with respect to the original picture.
• a method according to the invention is therefor characterized in that the surface of each i th picture segment is multiplied with a sharpness factor (w) before the i th picture segment is projected on the first picture, and in that before the second pixel value y(i) is determined a first transfer function component (T) is added to each of the k th first pixel values, and in that after determination of the second pixel value y(i) a second transfer function component (T 1 ) is added to the latter.
• w sharpness factor
• the multiplication with a sharpness factor enables to variegate the surface of the i th second picture segment. Consequently different filter types can be implemented without having a negative influence on the linear behaviour of the projection itself.
• the multiplication with a sharpness factor thus offers the possibility to abandon the rigid division in L pixels.
• By thereupon using a first and a second transfer function it is possible to discard from the conversion operation non-linearities introduced by the transfer function.
• the addition of the second transfer function component to the second pixel values enables to add to that second pixel value the transfer function belonging to the display unit on which the second picture will be displayed.
• the addition of the first transfer function component to the first pixel value enables to discard the transfer function component which is present on the first pixel value and so doing to remove the non- linearities from those first pixel values.
• the conversion itself is thus applied on pixel values from which the non-linear behaviour has been removed.
• the combination of the first and second transfer function with the converting by means of surface projection offers the advantage that the effects of the transfer function added to the first pixel values can no longer adversely affect the calculation of the second pixel values, because the first transfer functions enables to discard those effects. Said combination further attends to a correct determination and display as well as a correct manipulation of the luminance in the second picture.
• wi th k i . M- ( W-M) /2 n fli 1 .
• the first picture value is determined from a picture information signal having a picture content and a synchronisation component, and wherein a phased locked loop (PLL) is used to derive a pixel clock from said synchronisation component.
• PLL phased locked loop
• Such a method is characterized in that a first phase signal is associated to the picture content component which first phase signal is compared with a second phase signal belonging to the pixel clock and therefrom a phase different signal is determined, which phase different signal is used as a control signal to adjust the phase of the pixel clock with respect to the first phase signal.
• a high frequency signal is extracted from the picture content component and said first phase being associated with that high frequency signal.
• the phase to be associated to the video picture can this way be accurately determined.
• a pulse shaped signal is derived from the pixel clock, the pulse width of said pulse shaped signal being equal to the period of the pixel clock, and the intensity being substantially half of the intensity of the pixel clock signal, which phase difference signal is determined by substracting said pulse shaped control signal from the first phase signal.
• the adjustment of the loop can be realised for different frequencies of the pixel clock.
• a third preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention is characterized in that a series of numbers is selected wherein each number from said series represents each time a possible number of pixels per pixel line of the first picture and wherein for each number of said series the phase locked loop is each time set with that number and within a predetermined period the phase of the pixel clock is continuously modified between two predetermined values and wherein it is checked to which extent, for the predetermined number, the phase difference signal follows the modification of the phase of the pixel clock and for said extent, an evolution value being each time determined, and wherein thereafter that number from said series for which the evolution value is the largest is selected, and wherein the loop is adjusted on the latter number.
• This enables an automatic adjustment of the number of pixels per pixel line.
• An alternative embodiment for determining the exactitude of the number of pixels adjusted per picture line is characterized in that a first and a second set of first predetermined pixel values is formed by sampling the pixels with a first pixel clock and a second pixel clock, wherein the second pixel clock is phase shifted with respect to the first pixel clock, and wherein the first and the second set of first pixel values are reciprocally checked with one another in order to detect mutual difference in both sets and to verify whether those mutual differences show a periodic character, and wherein by establishing such a periodic character said mutual difference being applied to correct the preset number of pixels per line.
• Figure 2 shows the set-up of the conversion calculation member between two look-up tables
• Figure 3 shows a block scheme of a conversion calculation member belonging to a device according to figure 1;
• Figure 4 respectively 5 shows an illustration of a conversion from M towards L pixels wherein M > L, M ⁇ L;
• Figure 6 shows a hardware implementation of a calculation member destined for determining the weight factors
• Figure 7 shows a block scheme of a phase locked loop which is part of the conversion device
• Figure 8 shows a block scheme of video phase signal generator which is part of the loop shown in figure 7;
• Figure 9 shows the signals as presented to and generated by the video phase signal generator
• Figure 10 shows a block scheme of a phase difference generator which is part of the loop shown in figure 7;
• Figure 11 shows the signals such as presented to and generated by the phase difference signal generator
• Figure 12 shows a pulse width generator which is also part of the loop as shown in figure 7;
• Figure 13 shows a block scheme of a modified phase signal generator which is part of the loop shown in figure 7;
• Figure 14 shows the signals such as supplied to and generated by the phase difference signal generator shown in figure 13;
• Figure 15 shows a further part of the loop shown in figure
• Figure 16 shows an alternative embodiment of a phase locked loop being part of the conversion device according to the invention
• Figure 17 respectively 18, 19 and 20 shows the signals which illustrate the operation of the alternative embodiment shown in figure 16;
• Figure 21 shows a more detailed block scheme of the detector 50 shown in figure 16;
• Figure 22 shows an illustration of how an erroneous pixel clock can lead to erroneous sampling and how the latter is recognizable
• Figure 23 shows a picture format that is used for the determination of the number of pixels by making use of the conversion calculation member;
• Figure 24A respectively B shows an embodiment of the first respectively second transfer function.
• the conversion device is destined to convert a supplied first picture comprising M(M e N) pixels into a second picture comprising L(L e N) pixels.
• the first picture is supplied by a picture generator (not shown in the figure) which is for example formed by a memory, a video recorder, a PC or a transmission central for television pictures.
• the conversion device is preferably destined for converting the first picture towards the second in real time. It is necessary to notice that the content of the picture remains unchanged.
• the transmission velocity of the incoming picture is higher than the processing speed of the device, processing in real time is impossible. In order to take into account the speed difference the incoming picture is buffered.
• Such a conversion unit is for example used to convert a first picture displayed on a first type of display unit, such as for example a cathode ray tube towards a second picture that is displayed on a second type of display unit such as for example an LCD.
• first and second type display unit operate according to different standards it is necessary to convert the scanning format in order to enable the display on the second display unit.
• Other applications of the conversion unit such as for example zooming in or out a picture, PAL towards NTSC conversion or HDTV, so as keystone correction. With keystone correction it is also possible to take into account, during the conversion, a local reduction of the light intensity which is particular to an LCD projection when the projection is not realised according to the main axis.
• the conversion device shown in figure 1 comprises a low pass filter 1 (anti-alaising filter) to which the analogous video signal or another picture signal of the first picture is supplied.
• An output of the filter 1 is connected with a data input of an analogous to digital conversion unit 2, of which a further data input directly receives the video signal.
• a control input of the analog digital conversion unit 2 is connected with an output of a phase locked loop circuit 10 to which first respectively second input the first video signal respectively the pixel clock signal is supplied.
• the low pass filter 1 can at a certain sampling frequencies lead to a reduction of the sharpness of the video signal. By synchronous sampling the video signal is however directly supplied to the analog digital conversion unit causing the filter to be bypassed. It is also possible to adapt the band width of the filter.
• An output of the analog digital conversion unit 2 is connected with an input of a multiplexer 3 an output of which is connected with a memory 4.
• the multiplexer enables to reduce the speed with which the digital data is written into the memory.
• the multiplexer also offers the possibility to maintain one frame when use is made of interlaced pictures, provided that the pictures are static. This enables to obtain a substantially maximum sharpness after conversion.
• the calculation speed is dependent of the speed at which the first picture data are supplied from the first video signal.
• the addressing of the memory 4 is for example realised by means of independent reading and writing pointers.
• the reading speed preferably comprises a fixed value simplifying in that way the operation of the device because the subsequent units can than operate at a fixed speed.
• a data output of the memory 4 is connected with a demultiplexer 5.
• the conversion calculation member 7 itself is mounted between two look-up tables 6 respectively 8 of which the first 6 is connected with the demultiplexer output.
• the conversion calculation member 7 realises the conversion from the first picture composed of M pixels towards the second picture composed of L pixels, by calculating the second pixel values starting from the first pixel values of the first picture.
• the output of the second look-up table 8 is eventually connected with an input of- a digital to analog convertor 9 at which output the analogous video signal for the second picture is supplied.
• the memory 4 comprises preferably a FIFO (First In First Out) memory which is each time reset by the vertical synchronisation pulse of the first video signal in order to operate synchronously with the supplied input video signal.
• the readout of the stored digital data is for example started by initialising a reading address indicator on that position where the desired data starts. By reading it is also possible to read, skip, or even read twice or more, determined pixels or even complete lines, when the picture is linewise built up.
• Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of a part of the conversion unit shown in figure 1 and the data processing 5 unit 11 of the display unit connected therewith.
• a transfer function which translates the input voltage (Vin) into the luminance (Z) .
• the luminance transmitted by an LCD or a cathode ray tube is a non-linear function of the input voltage. So for
• ⁇ ⁇ + ( z c - z 0 ) (v in /v inrw
• ⁇ represents the non-linear behaviour of the voltage to current transfer for the cathode ray tube display unit
• Z Q the luminance for each phosphor particle
• FIG. 24A shows an example of such a transfer function for a CRT. With a conversion means such as shown in figure 1 and 2 the
• look-up table 1 will for example contain the components belonging t ⁇ the
• transfer function T shown in figure 24A while look-up table 8 will for example comprise the components belonging to the transfer function T' shown in figure 24B. In such a manner it is possible to remove from the first pixel values the compensation for the non-linear behaviour by means of
• a transfer function can again be applied on the converted pixel values and in such a manner the characteristics of the display unit on which the converted picture will be displayed can be taken into account.
• the transfer components to be stored are the inverted one of the transfer function components belonging to the transfer function for the used display unit, or a somewhat modified one for each colour.
• the first pixel value can be converted towards that intensity on the display unit, which has to be associated with a particular pixel value.
• the latter being applicable under the condition that the second look-up table 8 be filled in in the manner described hereafter.
• the second look-up table 8 takes care of a transfer function operation with a second transfer function which is the inverse one of the transfer function belonging to the type of display unit on which the second picture will be displayed.
• a second transfer function which is the inverse one of the transfer function belonging to the type of display unit on which the second picture will be displayed.
• the second look-up table 8 will then apply a compensation Q "1 .
• the conversion operation will cause minimal visual changes in function of the conversion factors and the place on the screen in the second picture.
• the second picture should visually come over substantially in the same manner as the first picture, this means that in the second picture and with respect to the first picture no intensity changes which could disturb the visual transfer may occur.
• the effect of round-off errors can be reduced if the internal resolution, that is the resolution between the first and second look-up table, is increased to for example 11 bits if an analogous digital convertor 2 supplies an 8 bits signal.
• the first video signal is artificially formed for example by a personal computer (PC) .
• PC personal computer
• the table 6 is loaded with the first transfer function T if the picture is brought in correspondence with the usual display unit (for example CRT) to which the PC is coupled, in order not to disturb the usual character with which the end user sees the picture.
• the calculation member enables the calculation of the second pixel values in real time.
• Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of such a conversion calculation member 7.
• the conversion calculation member comprises two substantially identical parts A and B, wherein the part A respectively 3 takes care of the vertical respectively horizontal conversion.
• a FIFO memory 12 forms the output stage of the calculation member.
• Each part A and B comprises two serially switched delay lines 13, 14, and 15, 16 provided to delay a picture line or pixel, in function of the selected embodiment, over one period of a picture line or pixel.
• each part comprises three multipliers 17, 18, 19 and 21, 22 and 23.
• a first input of the multiplier 17 respectively 18 and 19 is connected with a data input of the calculation member respectively an output of the first 13 and the second 14 delay line.
• 2 weight factors h v ((k, i) or h h (k, i) (1 ⁇ k ⁇ 3) ar supplied dependent on whether it relates to a vertical o a horizontal interpolation.
• the calculation membe is provided to realize a fixed conversion from a fixe value M towards a fixed value L then the calculation uni 25 can be substituted by a memory wherein predetermine weight factors h(k, i) are stored.
• That memory can be a well a ROM wherein fixed values are stored, as a R wherein each time different weight factors can be store
• the calculation of the h(k, i) values will be describ hereinafter.
• the output of each of the multipliers 17, 18 19 respectively 21, 22, 23 is connected with a respecti input of a summation member 20 respectively 24.
• first pixel (o ⁇ j M-l) belongs a first pixel value x(j) which represents t intensity of that j th pixel.
• a pixel represents in fa a surface piece of the display unit as is also illustrat in figure 4 wherein the pixels are thereupon matrixwi aligned.
• the matrix set-up is however not necessary for t execution of the method according to the invention.
• T pixels can for example also be linewise set up wherein t pixels of two or more subsequent lines are mutually shifted. The calculation given hereunder and implementation can take the latter into account.
• the same weight factors are attributed to the first pixel values belonging to a same line in the first picture. So to x(0,0), x(0, 1) and x(0,2) belonging to the first row of the first picture, the weight factors h(0,0) are attributed.
• Per set of q equations each time a same weight factor is attributed to the pixel values of the first picture which belongs to the same line. The reason therefor is that each pixel from a same row furnishes a same contribution when a one-dimensional conversion is considered.
• the surface of that pixel y(i) is projected on a corresponding location in the first picture.
• the surface of the first respectively second picture is first divided in M respectively L picture segments which each time correspond with the surface of the corresponding pixel.
• that projection signifies that this pixel overlaps completely x(0, 0) and partially x(l, 0) .
• the pixels x(0, 0) and x(l, 0)' are thus those who furnish a contribution to y(0, 0) and the equations set up therefor.
• the weight factor h(k, i) then indicates that part of the surface of y(i) that is occupied by the k th first pixel.
• x(0, 0) respectively x(l, 0) occupies 2/3 respectively 1/3 of the surface of y(0, 0) .
• the real width of the picture or the picture line as well as the position of the pixel or pixel line in the total picture is taken into account. This signifies that the total energy belonging to a pixel or a picture line is taken into account enabling a more reliable display of the picture and that the contours in the picture are more sharply defined.
• the calculation of the pixels y(l, 0) , y(l, 1) and y(l, 2) of the second line in the second picture is realized in an analogous manner.
• the summation is each time limited to two coefficients.
• a summation over three picture values is enough because further picture values do not contribute, due to the fact that their weight factor equals 0. Raising the conversion degree M/L towards M/L > 2 with three summations is possible but reduces the efficiency.
• the weight factors are obtained by superposition of the surface.
• Superposition of for example y(l) on the first picture shows that, as well by x(0) as by x(l) a part of the surface of y(l) is occupied and in such a manner that each occupy half of the surface.
• the weight factors h(k, i) and h 1 (k, i) are determined by the calculation unit 25 which for that purpose is programmed with the formulas given herebefore.
• the delay elements 13, 14 or 15, 16 serve the purpose of simultaneously supplying the necessary pixel values x(k) to the respective multiplication element 17, 18, 19 or 21, 22, 23 and of calculating in such a manner the value of the resp. h(k, i) x(k) .
• the summation itself is realized by the summation element 20 or 24.
• h(k,i) (min( . (Jc+l) ,M(i + l) +(- ⁇ ) -max( . k,M.i— ⁇ ) ) /W
• the surface of the i th second picture segment becomes variable, enabling to implement different types of filters without spoiling the effects of the projection itself.
• a good compromise between picture sharpness and visible errors in the second picture forms the choice of a .surface sharpness factor wherein the surface of the second pixel is invertedly proportional with the total number of pixels.
• a sharpness factor w ⁇ 1 By selecting a sharpness factor w ⁇ 1, a larger degree of freedom can be obtained in the surface division of the second picture enabling to take into account conversion effects such as luminance lost and visually, a substantially identical impression can be obtained in the first and second picture.
• the combination of a conversion method with a sharpness factor adjustment and the presence of two look-up tables offers the possibilities to avoid non-linearities in the conversion, while within the conversion itself an additional freedom degree is created. By these possibilities care is taken that the visual effect between the first and the second picture remains substantially the same, or can be manipulated. With such a manipulation it is then possible to locally increase or reduce the luminance in order to improve the readability of text for example. By local manipulation the remaining part of the picture is not perturbed.
• the two look-up tables enable such a manipulation because the luminance can thus be modified for high frequency information.
• yd'. i) ⁇ h'Xk', 1') . h' ⁇ k, i) xik' + n 1 , k + n) n'. n-a
• up and down conversions are als possible, such, as for example up conversion in vertica direction and down conversion in horizontal direction.
• the calculation of the weigh factors can be realized by means of software using programmed calculation member 25 (figure 3) or by means o the addressing of a memory wherein the weight factors ar stored.
• the weight factors can also be determined b hardware with a high processing speed, as will be describe hereunder.
• the latter embodiment has the advantage tha non-linear conversion on a same picture can occur. So fo example a first part of the picture can undergo an M •* conversion while a second part can undergo an M — L' conversion.
• Such a non-linear conversion has the advantag that it can be applied for example for keystone correctio with projection. Linewise variation of the conversion i also possible within a same picture.
• FIG. 6 shows an example of a hardware embodiment o a part of the calculation member 25 making part of th conversion device according to the invention.
• Th calculation member comprises an accumulator 26 which ha for example a 14 bits equivalent resolution.
• the value L/M is supplied, for example b means of a 14 bits digital word.
• the accumulator further receives a clock signal, related to the pixel clock for the horizontal direction, which is used for sampling the video signal as well as for the horizontal picture synchronization signal for horizontal conversion.
• the accumulator adds with each clock pulse of the pixel clock the value L/M to its actual value.
• the accumulator has a first resp. a second output at which the most significant bits (MSB) of the actual value resp. a carry signal is supplied.
• MSB most significant bits
• the outputs are connected with a memory 27, for example a PROM, comprising a first A and a second B part.
• the first resp. the second part is destined for down resp. up conversion.
• the selection of a memory part is realized by means of a control signal indicating whether it relates to a down or an up conversion.
• the division of the memory is for example realized on the basis of the memory addresses wherein for example the addresses with the MSB equal to "0" resp. "1" are assigned to the down resp. up conversion.
• the control signal is then simply formed by a one bit signal indicating the MSB address bit. Further the value L/M is also supplied at the input 13 after memory 27.
• the accumulator is adjusted in such a manner that it counts modulo L/M and each time, upon reaching the value L/M, a carry signal is output.
• the accumulator receives at a said input a single offset value
• the output of the accumulator can also be connected with a RAM or a PROM without having the value L/M or L/W supplied thereto.
• the RAM or PROM is then loaded with the adequate values for the conversion ratio and for the selected sharpness.
• a horizontal and a vertical output signal of the accumulator is supplied to the RAM or PROM in order to determine the weight factors for a horizontal and a vertical conversion.
• FIG. 7 shows a block scheme of a preferred embodiment of a PLL.
• the circuit comprises an adjustable delay line 28 whose data input receives a picture synchronisation signal, for example the horizontal synchronisation signal.
• a control input of the delay line 28 is connected with an output of phase signal generator 34 whose data input receives the image information signal, and whose clock input is connected with an output of the PLL.
• a data output after the delay line 28 is connected with a data input of a phase comparator 29, whose data output is connected with an input of a filter 30.
• An output of the filter 30 is connected with an input of a voltage controlled oscillator 31, whose output is connected with an input of a first programmable divider 32.
• a predetermined value is supplied at a further data input of the first divider 32.
• the output of the ' first divider forms the output of the PLL.
• the output of the PLL is further connected with an input of a second programmable divider 33 whose output is connected with a control input of the phase comparator 29.
• a predetermined number of pixels is supplied.
• a furthe adjustable delay line is provided after the first divide 32. That delay line is controlled by the generator 34.
• Th PLL operates further analogously.
• the further delay lin can operate in combination with the delay line 28.
• Th delay line 28 could also not be present in thi configuration.
• the PLL multiplies, when it has been correctl adjusted, the input picture synchronisation signal with th exact number of active and blanking pixels of the firs picture in order to reconstruct the original digita analogous conversion clock frequency with synchronou sampling.
• the phase of the generated clock can by means o the delay line 28 be shifted with respect to the pictur synchronisation signal in order to adjust synchronously i phase the clock signal with the picture synchronisatio signal.
• the adjustment of the delay line can be realize either manually or automatically by using a phase signa generator 34.
• the PLL with exception to the generator 34, is know as such, and the operation thereof will therefor not b further described in detail. Only the set-up and th operation of the generator in connection with the PLL wil be described in more detail.
• the picture informatio signal should comprise a picture content and synchronisation component in order to enable the operatio of the PLL.
• the picture content component has to b derived from a digital signal that has been converted, b means of D/A conversion unit, towards an analogous signa for synchronous sampling.
• the object is to recuperate th pixel clock in such a manner that there is correspondenc with the one with which the D/A conversion has taken place
• the generator 34 comprises a differentiation unit 3 whose output is connected with an input of a compariso unit 36 such as shown in figure 8.
• the differentiation unit receives the picture information signal.
• the generator 34 is operable when the picture information signal comprises high frequency components such as shown in figure 9A. When such components are not present the delay line 28 keeps its adjustment unchanged. When the picture information signal comprises for example text, such high frequency components are present and the adjustment of the delay line 28 shall occur. When the picture only comprises black pixels then the generator is not active.
• the differentiation unit 35 applies a mathematical differentiation on the picture information component (figure 9B) in order to extract the high frequency components from the image information signal.
• the comparison unit 36 compares the differentiated picture information signal with a predetermined voltage level of for example half of the maximum video input voltage supplied to a further input of the comparison unit. In such a manner the comparison unit assures that only the peaks that are higher or equal to that voltage level are allowed to pass in order to supply a reliable video pulse series. With another embodiment two comparison units are used in order to detect and to take into account also down going edges.
• Figure 9C shows such a video pulse series derived from a video signal according to figure 9A. These series of video pulses represent a first phase signal that is associated with the picture content of the video picture and represents as is to say the phase of the video picture.
• the thus formed video pulse series is supplied to a flip-lop circuit 43, shown in figure 10. That circuit is part of the generator 34.
• the flip-flop circuit comprises a first 37 and a second 38 flip-flop.
• the video pulse series (figure 11A) is supplied to the clock input of the first flip-flop 37, to which D-input a signal with logical value "1" is supplied.
• the Q-output of the first flip-flop 37 is connected with the asynchronous reset input of the second flip-flop 38 and the reset input of the first flip- flop is connected with the Q-output of the second flip- flop.
• the clock signal (figure 11B) formed by the PLL is supplied.
• the D- input of the second flip-flop 38 also receives the signal with the logical value "1".
• the Q-output of the first flip- lop 37 is connected with a line 39.
• the output signal OTl on line 39 thus goes high synchronously with the raising of a pulse from the series of video pulses forming said first phase signal associated with the video picture.
• the output signal OTl goes down with a raising edge of the pixel clock signal. This signifies that the width of the pulse of the OTl signal is determined by comparison of the picture phase signal and the pixel clock pulse and indicates the phase difference therebetween. The larger the pulse from the signal OTl, the higher the phase difference between both signals.
• the pulse with ⁇ T of OTl equals half of the period of the clock signal, it is derived therefrom that the pixel clock and the video picture are in phase with each other.
• FIG 12 shows a block scheme of such a further component 42 which also comprises two flip-flop 40 and 41.
• the first flip-flop 40 receives at its clock input the video pulse series (figure 9c and 14a) and at its D- input the signal with a value "logic 1".
• the Q-output of the first flip-flop 40 is connected with the D-input of the second flip-flop 41 at which clock input the pixel clock signal (figure lib, 14b) is supplied.
• the Q-output of the second flip-flop 41 furnishes a signal OT2 (figure 14d) which inter-alia resets the first flip-flop.
• the raising edge of a pulse from the video pulse series (figure 14a) assures that the value "logic 1" is presented at a Q-output resp. D-input of the first 40 resp. second 41 flip-flop.
• the second flip-flop is not active at that moment because the clock (figure 14b) is low.
• the raising edge of the subsequent clock pulse substantially half a clock period later, now clocks the second flip-flop 41 in such a manner that the signal supplied at the D-input is output at the Q-output.
• the signal 0T2 at the Q-output now goes high (figure I4d) causing the reset of the first flip-flop 40.
• the Q-output of the second flip-flop With the subsequent raising edge of the clock, the Q-output of the second flip-flop will go down, causing the signal OT2 to go down also.
• the pulse width of the signal 0T2 thus precisely corresponds with the period of the clock signal used for sampling.
• the derivation of the signal 0T2 offers the advantage that the circuit each time forms a signal 0T2 for each supplied clock frequency, the pulses of the signal 0T2 having a width of one clock period. Further the A/D conversion unit will always sample at the correct time at the PLL output, independently of the frequency of the pixel clock, because the signal OT2 takes the frequency of the pixel clock into account. With an alternative embodiment wherein the clock frequency remains unchanged, the signal OT2 can also be formed for example by a pulse generator.
• the flip-flop circuits 42 resp. 43 of figure 10 resp. 12 are part of the circuit represented in figure 13.
• the signal OTl is supplied at a first input of an analogous summation unit 44, while at its second input, half of the intensity of the signal OT2 (thus 1/20T2) is received.
• the division by two of the signal OT2 is for example realized by means of a series switch of two resistances 45, 46 having the same value.
• the second input of the analogous summation unit 44 is connected with the connection between the two resistances.
• the signal 0T3 is transmitted via a low pass filter 47 and forms in such a manner the signal OT4 (figure I4f) .
• the signal OT4 gives a direct current level, whose value represents the phase difference between the pixel clock phase and the phase associated to the video signal.
• the pulse width of OTl gives the phase difference between both signals.
• the generator 34 comprises a synchronisation circuit, a block scheme of which is shown in figure 15.
• That synchronisation circuit comprises a double comparison unit 48 at which data resp. clock input the signal OT4 resp. for example the picture synchronisation pulses are supplied. With each input synchronisation pulse the comparison unit compares , the level of the supplied OT4 signal with predetermined preset values or with a value that is related to the picture content. When the signal OT4 indicates or passes a predetermined positive resp. a predetermined negative voltage, a signal with logic value "1" resp. »» -i" is output at the output of the comparison unit 48.
• a logic "0" is supplied at a counter 49.
• the counter 49 is incremented, decremented or remains in its actual position.
• the actual status of the counter is then supplied to the delay line 28 enabling a correct automatic adjustment of the latter.
• FIG 16 shows another embodiment of the PLL circuit. That embodiment is provided to enable the detection of the number of pixels. For the sake of clarity only the differences with the PLL shown in figure 7 will be described.
• a sweep signal is supplied, that is to say, a signal that starts with a first value and changes stepwise or continuously towards a second value.
• the output of the generator 34 is connected with a detector 50.
• phase difference ⁇ as shown by the signal 0T3 or 0T4 will remain constant during a period ⁇ T (H) of the horizontal picture synchronisation signal such as shown in figure 17.
• the phase difference can change as shown in figure 18 where an increase of the phase difference is shown. That increase is now represented by an increase of the voltage level of the signal OT4. Indeed another adjustment of the delay line 28 will lead to a change in the phase difference.
• the phase difference With a correct adjustment of the number of pixels, the phase difference will remain constant within a period.
• the phase difference can increase during one period ⁇ T(H) as shown in figure 19. Because the number of pixels is incorrect, for each pixel there will be sampled at a different place in such a manner that within a period ⁇ T(H) the phase will change, provided that the adjustment of the delay line remains unchanged within that period. The signal 0T3 will thus increase while as a consequence of the filter 47 the signal 0T4 will remain unchanged within that same period ⁇ T(H) .
• the adjustment of the delay line 28 has another value, for example by means of the sweep signal, while the number of pixels is incorrect, then OT4 remains unchanged while OT3 increases and eventually jumps halfway the period as is shown in figure 20.
• FIG. 21 shows a more detailed block scheme of a possible embodiment of a detector 50 shown in figure 16.
• the element 52 is a control unit adjusting the amplitude of OT2 in such a manner that a (DC) current is present at the output.
• the control input of the control unit is connected with a DC meter 55.
• the low pass filters 51 and 53 are low pass filters of which the pass frequency has to be at least the one of the sweep signal.
• the summation unit 44 is identical to the one shown in figure 13 and has the same function.
• the low pass filters 51 and 53 are switched before the summation unit 44 because it is easier to realize the deduction for low frequencies.
• sample and hold circuit 54 is on the one hand connected with an input of a sample and hold circuit 56 and on the other hand with a second input (B) of a comparison unit 57, which first input (A) is connected with an output of the sample and hold circuit.
• the sample and hold circuit also has a reset input (R) and a control input 9 connected with the output of the comparison unit 57.
• the comparison unit supplies a signal with for example logic "1" and consequently the sample and hold circuit 56 is activated in order to pick up the last value supplied by the peak detector 54. If on the other hand B ⁇ A then the last value supplied by the peak detector is not picked up. In such a manner the maximum value is thus detected and the number of pixels corresponding with the maximum value is established.
• Another embodiment for the automatic determination of the number of pixels uses the conversion calculation member 7 itself and not the PLL and the phase signal generator 34. The number of pixels per line is adjusted at a random value.
• That value can be fixed or can be related to other measured picture parameters such as for example the number of picture lines. If the pixels of the first picture are sampled with an erroneous pixel clock Kl then the pixel values x'(j') will not always correspond with the pixel values x(j) supplied by the picture generator, in figure 22 those random conditions are represented by RA(j').
• the sum of the width (expressed in number of pixels) of subsequent good and error zones is a measure for the deviation between the randomly chosen pixel clock and the pixel clock to be recuperated which corresponds with the real number of pixels per line.
• the conversion calculation member 7 is temporarily switched in a control mode.
• the pixels obtained by the second sampling are written in a picture memory, and upon reading they are configured to a new picture format, such as shown in figure 23. That picture format is converted towards a new format y(i', i) .
• That picture format is converted towards a new format y(i', i) .
• y(0,0) 0.5 X'(0,1) + 0.5 x"(0,l)
• y(0,l) 0.25 x' (0,l) + 0.25 x' (0,2) + 0.25 x"(0,l) +

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• 1993
  • 1993-06-10 BE BE9300587A patent/BE1007211A5/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 1994
  • 1994-06-10 DE DE69429281T patent/DE69429281D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
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  • 1994-06-10 WO PCT/BE1994/000039 patent/WO1995001047A2/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1994-06-10 JP JP6525830A patent/JPH09504911A/ja active Pending
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